Digital, is it a curse or saviour? I mentioned last year that a group of us had come together to see if we could use online technologies to help with the regeneration of Stanley. I’d put a report together to try and generate some interest and this week it was my opportunity to present it … Continue reading Unfolding plans 27 – a bit of town planning
Unfolding plans 26 – There are those that tell and those that ask
There are those that tell and those that ask, apparently. No human system is so binary yet most of us fall towards one end of the ask or tell continuum. We may prefer to ask but from time to time find the need to tell. We may feel that we ask when indeed we are … Continue reading Unfolding plans 26 – There are those that tell and those that ask
Unfolding plans 25 – Something has to give and the technology is going to help
I’ve noticed a subtle change. Services are coming to us asking for help. The drive to use technology is growing at pace. I don’t know if austerity has helped but it has certainly sharpened our focus. As the cuts have gone deeper and deeper there is an increasing realisation that we can’t do the same … Continue reading Unfolding plans 25 – Something has to give and the technology is going to help
Unfolding plans 24 – the true test of artificial intelligence is for it to deliver something unpredictable
It’s an interesting concept. How do you test artificial intelligence? It is a concept that is difficult to define yet we all can understand that human intelligence is different from so called artificial intelligence. I’ve already said in a previous piece that I struggle with the definition of artificial intelligence, or machine intelligence as all … Continue reading Unfolding plans 24 – the true test of artificial intelligence is for it to deliver something unpredictable
Unfolding plans 21 – I’m not one for using sporting analogies
So Andy Murray was the runner up at the Australian open. It was a shame. He’d been playing as well as he had ever been but he was up against a formidable opponent. Number six in the world was playing number one. It was sublime tennis. The match ebbed and flowed with each player gaining … Continue reading Unfolding plans 21 – I’m not one for using sporting analogies
Unfolding plans 19 – the value tree
I was intrigued. The invite said that during the meeting we ‘will capture these (Mission Statement, objectives and priorities) in a “Value Tree” which is a graphical way of presenting the key objectives that requires them to be ranked in order of importance. The Value Tree can then be used at future “Gateways” to check … Continue reading Unfolding plans 19 – the value tree
Unfolding plans 18 – All purchases needed to be approved by Neil
My Christmas gift was a very generous book token. It came with a caveat however. All purchases needed to be approved by Neil, one of my team. The note said that to avoid disappointment it is unlikely that he would approve any non-fictional text in the area of management. The message was clear. I needed … Continue reading Unfolding plans 18 – All purchases needed to be approved by Neil
Unfolding plans 13 – I’m railing against the machine
I’m ranting again. I’m railing against the machine. I’m banging on and on about those issues that keep tripping us up, the rocks in the stream that disrupt our flow, the sand in our shoe which causes us to limp and the pea under the mattress that gives us a restless night’s sleep. We had … Continue reading Unfolding plans 13 – I’m railing against the machine
Unfolding plans 3
I’ve restructured our Senior Leadership Team meetings. Today we did something that I’ve wanted to do for some time but never got round to it. We had our first meeting entirely dedicated to the customer. It was a sales meeting or a commercial meeting or a focus on growth. I’m going to take this as … Continue reading Unfolding plans 3
Unfolding plans 2
The English language is a funny thing. Nearly every word has both a positive and a negative connotation. Take the word flexible for instance. As an adjective it can mean capable of being bent or susceptible to modification or adaptation. As an adjective there is a whiff of the sinister. I can take something that … Continue reading Unfolding plans 2
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 